Tape measure

Abstract

A tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A first lamp is coupled to the housing assembly and is oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape.

We claim: 
     
       1. A tape measure comprising:
 a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing assembly defining a cavity, and the peripheral wall defining a bottom surface and a tape port; 
 a measuring tape, wherein at least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity and rotatably supported by the housing, the measuring tape extending and retracting from the cavity through the tape port; 
 a hook member fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape; and 
 a first lamp coupled to the housing assembly and oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape, wherein a light switch is coupled to the housing assembly, the light switch configured to selectively actuate the lamp between an ON condition and an OFF condition, and wherein the light switch is actuated by extension and retraction of the measuring tape from the housing assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The tape measure of  claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly further defines a battery compartment for receiving a battery. 
     
     
       3. The tape measure of  claim 1 , wherein the first lamp directs a first beam to a point approximately two inches from the housing assembly. 
     
     
       4. The tape measure of  claim 1 , further comprising a second lamp coupled to the housing. 
     
     
       5. The tape measure of  claim 4 , wherein the first lamp directs a first beam to a first point, and the second lamp directs a second beam to a second point separate from the first point. 
     
     
       6. The tape measure of  claim 5 , wherein the first point is approximately two inches from the housing assembly, and the second point is approximately 4 inches from the housing assembly. 
     
     
       7. The tape measure of  claim 5 , wherein the first beam and the second beam intersect an extended segment of the measuring tape along a center axis. 
     
     
       8. The tape measure of  claim 1 , wherein the first lamp includes an ultra-violet light emitting diode. 
     
     
       9. The tape measure of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring tape includes a fluorescent coating. 
     
     
       10. A tape measure comprising:
 a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing assembly defining a cavity, and the peripheral wall defining a bottom surface and a tape port; 
 a measuring tape, wherein at least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity and rotatably supported by the housing, the measuring tape extending and retracting from the cavity through the tape port; 
 a hook member fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape; 
 a battery compartment defined within the housing assembly for receiving a battery; and 
 a light system coupled to the housing assembly, wherein the light system includes a first lamp, a second lamp, and a third lamp partially disposed within the housing assembly, the first lamp oriented to illuminate a first portion of the measuring tape, and the second lamp and the third lamp oriented to illuminate a second portion of the measuring tape, wherein the first lamp directs a first beam, the second lamp directs a second beam, and the third lamp directs a third beam, the first beam, the second beam, and the third beam intersecting a center axis of an extended segment of the measuring tape. 
 
     
     
       11. The tape measure of  claim 10 , wherein a light switch is coupled to the housing assembly, the light switch configured to selectively operate the light system between an ON condition and an OFF condition. 
     
     
       12. The tape measure of  claim 10 , wherein the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp are disposed along a lamp axis. 
     
     
       13. The tape measure of  claim 10 , wherein the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp each include ultra-violet light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       14. The tape measure of  claim 10 , wherein the measuring tape includes a fluorescent coating. 
     
     
       15. A tape measure comprising:
 a housing assembly including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing assembly defining a cavity, and the peripheral wall defining a bottom surface and a tape port; 
 a measuring tape, wherein at least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity and rotatably supported by the housing, the measuring tape extending and retracting from the cavity through the tape port; 
 a hook member fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape; 
 a battery compartment defined within the housing assembly for receiving a battery; and 
 a light system coupled to the housing assembly, wherein the light system includes a first lamp, a second lamp, and a third lamp partially disposed within the housing assembly, the first lamp oriented to illuminate a first portion of the measuring tape, and the second lamp and the third lamp oriented to illuminate a second portion of the measuring tape wherein the first lamp directs a first beam to a point approximately two inches from the housing assembly, and wherein the second lamp directs a second beam and the third lamp directs a third beam, the second beam and the third beam directed to a point approximately four inches from the housing assembly.